An Enterprise Ireland trade mission of 30 Irish companies to Canada that begins today is aiming to boost trade between Ireland and Canada, as well as help Irish companies grow their export sales and create jobs in Ireland.

Ireland’s Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, TD, is leading the three-day trade mission, and he departs for Toronto, Ontario, today, along with Enterprise Ireland’s CEO Frank Ryan.

Oh, Canada

The companies on the trade mission are from various sectors, including agri tech, mobile, telecoms and financial software, infrastructure, business process outsourcing, consumer products, food and beverage and education services.

They range from innovative high-growth start-ups with less than €1m turnover and fewer than five employees, to €2bn companies employing more than 3,000 people around the world.

Support for Irish companies

Bruton will participate in 25 meetings and engagements over the three days, including interviews with Canadian media.

“At the heart of the Government’s plan for jobs and growth is our ambition to create a powerful engine of indigenous enterprise. We must not only continue to grow jobs in multinational companies, but we must also support ambitious Irish companies seeking to grow their exports and jobs,” Bruton said.

“Through the Action Plan for Jobs we are implementing a range of changes this year to provide better supports for Irish companies who are determined to continue growing their exports and creating new jobs, including the establishment of a potential exporters division in Enterprise Ireland and a series of tax changes in the budget to make it easier to place staff in overseas markets.

“The ongoing intensive programme of trade missions is a part of this plan, and my hope is that through the series of meetings that we hold this week, Irish companies will be in a position to strike deals with Canadian companies and grow their exports to this important market,” Bruton added.

Exports to Canada by Enterprise Ireland clients rose by 19pc to €224m in 2011, and it is hoped that exports for 2012 will increase by a further 20pc.

Ryan said more than 220 Irish companies are selling goods and services into Canada, spanning a range of sectors, including telecoms, financial services and consumer retail.

“Exports create and sustain jobs in Ireland,” Ryan said.

“The expected 20pc growth in exports to Canada by Enterprise Ireland client companies in 2012 clearly demonstrates that there are significant, tangible opportunities for increased trade and partnerships between Irish and Canadian companies. We are confident that further growth and business successes will result from this trade mission.”